Mother's harrowing 911 call released after son falls into gorilla enclosure

The horrified mother screams 'I can't watch this'
- byNew Idea

Jun
2016

Viral Hog

Dramatic 911 calls from the mother whose 3-year-old son had fallen into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo have been released.

On the recording, released by police, the mother can be heard saying, 'My son fell in the zoo exhibit at the gorilla — at the Cincinnati zoo. My son fell in with gorilla. There is a male gorilla standing over him.'

The mother can be heard calling to her son in the gorilla enclosure, 'Be calm, be calm!”

Meanwhile, a bystander can be heard shouting, 'There’s a baby in the zoo at gorilla moat. Hurry, hurry, the gorillas are out. Oh, my God.'

The toddler, later named as Isiah Dickerson, was eventually rescued and suffered minor injuries.

Sadly, the 17-year-old western lowland silverback gorilla was killed sparking controversy around the world.

Mother Michelle Gregg, who was with Isiah when he crawled into the pit, and father Deonne Dickerson also thanked zoo staff for protecting their son.

“If anyone wishes to make a gift, we recommend a donation to the Cincinnati Zoo in Harambe’s name,” they said in a statement, adding they have been offered money but won’t accept financial gifts.

“Our child has had a check-up by his doctor and is still doing well. We continue to praise God for His grace and mercy, and to be thankful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their actions taken to protect our child.”